Five Social Norms that are Killing You
Social norms are conducts that are explicitly or implicitly viewed as acceptable by members of a society or group. They can be beliefs or values, or they can be behaviors. Most members of a society expect others members of their society to live by these beliefs, values or behaviors, as if they are innate.
In most cases, social norms are harmless. Some even create order and peace, such as basic manners and rules of cordiality and respect. However, there are some that aren’t as good for our health. Most of these are popular forms of entertainment and pleasure, and several recent studies have been done to show how they could be shortening our lives.
Listed below are five social norms that, according to these studies, could be killing us:
1. Television: More than likely, you watch TV every day, and you have probably watched it every day since you were able to sit up on your own. The average person watches two hours of television every day. This is bad for your health for two reasons; a sedentary lifestyle leads to poor physical health, and the content on television (especially news and violent shows) increases stress levels and poorly affects the psyche. Many people aren’t even aware that their evening habit is negatively impacting their mental and physical health, but it is. A little bit of television-watching is harmless, but most people watch too much. Instead of sitting in front of the tube, try going for a walk or jog or reading a book. These activities decrease stress, enrich the mind and strengthen your health.
2. Desk Jobs: Like watching television, a desk job forces you to sit for the better part of your day. This is extremely bad for your health. An average day for most people involves sitting behind a desk from 9 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., then sitting on the couch watching television from 8 P.M. to 10 P.M. and then going to bed. A life without physical activity is a life at risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke and other health problems. If you have a desk job, try to get up and walk around your office space at least once every hour. When you have the opportunity to take the stairs, take them. Also, find time during your day for at least 30 minutes of medium-paced walking.
3. Meat-centric Diet: Meat is king, when it comes to our diets. Most people eat meat for breakfast, meat for lunch and meat for dinner. They also eat bread every meal. Where are the vegetables and fruits? For some reason, we have been brainwashed to think that vegetables and fruits aren’t tasty or filling. The truth is; they are actually packed with fiber (which helps keep you full for a longer time) and taste. Meat is high in saturated fat and calories and should be eaten in moderation. Vegetables and fruits are packed with healthy vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which keep your health at its best. Eating too much meat also creates a supply problem for the food industry. Instead of eating it for every meal, try eating it at only one meal a day. For example, eat eggs for breakfast, salad for lunch and chicken for dinner.
4. Alcohol: As with meat, most people are drinking too much alcohol. We have been trained to think that alcohol is a necessary staple of celebration and relaxation. Although alcohol can help us relax, overdrinking can actually make us gain weight and create constant lethargy. In addition, too much alcohol can increase levels of triglycerides in the blood, increase your risk of liver disease and increase your risk of experiencing dangerous blackouts when drinking.
5. Over-time Work: Whether we are working in the office or managing our homes, most people generally work too many hours every week. This has been caused by the need for both parents to work and the constant access to work email through smartphones. Working too much causes us to neglect our health. We eat poor foods too quickly, never exercise and never take the time to do something we enjoy. This lifestyle leads to stress, depression and a feeling that you have no control in your life. The truth is; you do have control. To combat too much work, learn how to say “no” and create a strict work schedule that leaves time in your day for exercise and fun. Even if it’s just one hour in your day; this one hour can make the difference between happiness and frustration.
May you throw out these harmful social norms and become an example of health for others!
Shannon Barnett owns the site Careers in Criminal Justice.
In her spare time, she enjoys writing articles for various other sites on many topics of interest.
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